Effect of acupuncture at points selected from different regions on SCF-kit signaling pathway in diabetic gastroparesis rats

• Published in: Journal of acupuncture and tuina science Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 67 - 73
• Main Authors: Liu, Li, Guo, Xin, Wu, Xue-fen, Zheng, Xue-na, Xie, Zhi-qiang, Xie, Li-na, Yue, Zeng-hui, Yuan, Jian-ling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.04.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Diabetes; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Special Topic for 973 Program; A; Diabetes Complications; 胃轻瘫; Rats; 糖尿病并发症; R2-03; Acupuncture Therapy; Cajal 间质细胞; 大鼠; Point Selection; Interstitial Cells of Cajal; 针刺疗法; 穴位特异性; Specificity of Acupoints; 选穴; Gastroparesis
• ISSN: 1672-3597; 1993-0399
• DOI: 10.1007/s11726-017-0978-y

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at points selected from different regions on the positive expression of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and the stem cell factor (SCF) in gastric antrum tissues in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, and to explore the influence of region-based point selection on the acupoint combination efficacy. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (group A), a model group (group B), a group of Zusanli (ST 36) plus Zhongwan (CV 12) (group C), a group of Zusanli (ST 36) plus Neiguan (PC 6) (group D), and a group of Zusanli (ST 36) plus non-meridian non-acupoint points (group E), based on the random number table ( n =12). DGP rat model was established by single intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin and common diet. After successful modeling, the rats were treated once a day for 4 weeks. Positive ICC and SCF expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with group A, the gastrointestinal propulsion rate of group B showed a statistically significant decrease ( P <0.05). Compared with group B, the gastrointestinal propulsion rate and the expression of ICC in the gastric antrum were significantly higher in group C, group D and group E, and the between-group differences were statistically significant ( P <0.05); the expression of C-kit protein in group C was statistically significantly higher than that in group D and group E ( P <0.05). The expression of SCF protein was significantly increased in group C than in group B, and the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the symptoms of delayed gastric emptying in DGP model rats, and regulate the expression of ICC and SCF in gastric antrum tissues. The effect of Zusanli (ST 36) plus Zhongwan (CV 12) in the gastric region is superior to that of the Zusanli (ST 36) plus distal Neiguan (PC 6) or non-meridian non-acupoint point, indicating that region-based point selection is the key factor affecting the effect of acupoint combination.